1. Surprise,astonish,amaze,astound mean to strike with wonder because of unexpectedness, strangeness, unusualness, etc. To surprise is to take unawares or to affect with wonder: surprised at receiving a telegram.To astonish is to strike with wonder by something unlooked for, startling, or seemingly inexplicable: astonished at someone's behavior.To amaze is to astonish so greatly as to disconcert or bewilder: amazed at such an evidence of stupidity.To astound is to so overwhelm with surprise that one is unable to think or act: astounded by the news.